Three-dimensional measuring system for animals using light pattern triangulation
AssigneePheno Imaging, Inc.
InventorJames S. Ellis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for determining a three-dimensional image of an animal, or other symmetric object, by projecting a pattern of light on the object and capturing two images of the reflected light with two cameras located a fixed distance apart. Using triangulation, the x, y, and z locations of each element of the light pattern is measured, thus creating a three-dimensional image of the surface of the object. Because animals are symmetric, an image need only be taken of one side of the animal, and the image mirrored, to determine the complete three dimensional characteristics of the animal.
Claims23
A system for measuring characteristics of an animal, the system comprising:
- an image projection system for projecting a plurality of light elements toward the animal to reflect therefrom;
- at least two imaging devices for receiving the reflected light elements and providing a reflected light image thereof from each imaging device;
- and
- a computer system for receiving each of the reflected light images and for determining horizontal, vertical and depth distance data for each light element contained within the reflected light images, and for measuring the characteristics of the animal using the distance data.
A method for measuring characteristics of an animal, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) projecting a plurality of light pattern elements toward the animal to reflect therefrom;
- (b) receiving light pattern elements reflected from the animal with at least two imaging devices;
- (c) measuring vertical, horizontal and depth dimension data for each of the reflected light pattern elements received in step (b) to create a three-dimensional image;
- (d) measuring the characteristics of the animal from results of the measuring in step (c).
A system for measuring characteristics of an animal, the system comprising:
- image projection means for projecting a plurality of structured light elements toward the animal to reflect therefrom;
- image receiving means for receiving the reflected structured light elements and providing vertical and horizontal dimension data for each of the reflected structured light elements;
- and
- computer means for receiving the vertical and horizontal dimension data, for determining distance data comprising a distance between each of said structured light elements and a distance between the image receiving means and each of said structured light elements, and for measuring a location of at least one feature of the animal using said distance data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.